This week's Observers bring us to Syria's frightening improvised morgues for killed protesters. They explain what a Russian "monstration" is, and take us down the dizzying descent of Italy's Monte Crostis.

We begin in Deraa, one of the flashpoints in the pro-democracy protests in Syria. Last month, the Syrian army sent in tanks - to battle what they called "terrorists". Residents said that dozens of people were killed. A warning - the footage he shot is grim.

Observer, Abdullah Abazid (pseudonym) in Deraa.

STORY 2: RUSSIA

Secondly, we look at freedom of speech in Russia, that is to say the Russia of Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev. In theory, the Russian constitution guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. But activists say the reality is very different. People have even been arrested while they were demonstrating for the right to demonstrate. It's pushing some activists to find new tactics. We head to Novosibirsk, in Siberia.

Observer: Artyom Loskutov, member of a Russian group called "Terrorism and contemporary art".

STORY 3: ITALY

We end today with a story about cycling. The Giro is Italy's version of the Tour de France. This year's race has been marked by tragedy. One of the riders was killed on the third day. The organisers modified the later races, and took out one of the most dangerous parts - the descent of Monte Crostis. Our Observer tried the descent himself.